Eclipse 500 Update

Eclipse Aviation recently released the final and official performance numbers for the VLJ Eclipse 500. The Eclipse 500 has a top speed of 370 knots and will have a useful load of 2,400. Very impressive numbers that either meet or beat (in the case of useful load) the original performance specs. I have to admit I was skeptical that Eclipse could pull off all of their numbers. And, I was proven right (but not really). The original NBAA IFR range (with four occupants and a 100nm alternate) was 1,280nm. The first 100 airplanes will have a range of 1,050nm. But, the credit belongs, not to the critic but to the man in the arena. My hat is off (it would be nice to have a Eclipse hat to take off) to CEO Vern Raburn and all of the employees, sub-contractors, stakeholders, and investors in the Eclipse 500. This plane has the potential to change (although not as radically as originally predicted) the aviation industry.

FAA Certification of the Eclipse 500 is still a few weeks away, but for all intents and purposes the Eclipse 500 is the first VLJ to pass the certification finish line.